Draw the line and step over it. - Ronda Matson - Newshttp://rondamatson.com/news.html
Ronda Matson: NewsJannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/Mon, 19 Mar 2018 01:02:20 -0700And now there are THREE.http://rondamatson.com/news.html#46
This is what happens when you blink. Time has its way with you!

My third grandchild, Vivienne Hays Murdock, was born safe and sound.

February 13, 2015, 7 lb. 5 oz., 20.25"

She's such a beauty!

]]>http://rondamatson.com/news.html#46Wed, 15 Apr 2015 00:00:00 -0700Draw the line and step over it. - Ronda Matson - NewsThen there were TWO...http://rondamatson.com/news.html#45
My grandson, Michael Owen, has a playmate in the Tupperware cabinet now-- and Abigail Rae is surely keeping up. As swiftly as there are two, the "News" here happily rolls from smaller to bigger. A new year is upon us and the bowls and lids are strewn :)

I hope this new year will bring you all the good things life has to offer!

]]>http://rondamatson.com/news.html#45Fri, 24 Jan 2014 00:00:00 -0800Draw the line and step over it. - Ronda Matson - NewsHappy New Year!http://rondamatson.com/news.html#44
I hope your new year is off to a great start! So far, it looks tricky, but I'm optimistic. :)

2013. It sounds futuristic to this old girl. And, scary. Personally, I think we should make the best of the unlucky Number 13, possibly even give it a make-over. Let's have some fun this year... and maybe get into a little trouble?

]]>http://rondamatson.com/news.html#44Thu, 03 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0800Draw the line and step over it. - Ronda Matson - NewsNEWS?http://rondamatson.com/news.html#42
Looking at the “News” on my website, the last post being in APRIL, you’d certainly think there isn’t any. Social media consultants would say I’m dead in the water. But, do they really know?

As you might guess, many things are in the works as we roll toward our Happy New Year. For the time being, you can find me in Upton every Thursday night at 7:30, host of The Rose Room Revue Open Mic. It’s a cool place to be! Hope to see YOU at The Revue~

]]>http://rondamatson.com/news.html#42Thu, 09 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0800Draw the line and step over it. - Ronda Matson - NewsDeep Impressionhttp://rondamatson.com/news.html#40
I sat in a pew near the back of the church, nervous. People walked in quietly. They sat quietly. Organ pipes let go of their sound quietly. Compared with other churches there weren’t so many pews, but high white walls and long windows opened up the space. Strangely, it gave comfort, this intimate grandness. It held me close, but let me breathe at the same time. I felt less nervous. The moments grew bigger as I waited. Before I knew it, the rush of modern life felt far away. A bagpiper outside the sanctuary played his tune, welcoming more people and then, he was silent.

I loved many things about the celebration for Georgia: the beauty of the surroundings, the slow, meaningful readings, the pauses, the words that came with difficulty from her broken-hearted grandchildren, the calm that perfectly reflected her. The pastor told a story about his last conversation with Georgia. The eloquence of his words will stay with me for a long time, maybe for always. She looked lovely that day with her carefully placed hair and painted nails, like she was going somewhere special, he said. She told him she was waiting for the bus, that she was tired. She was ready for the bus.

I took many things home that day, all of them invisible. I find myself reflecting on the singular sincerity of everyone present. It was so apparent. We were all so very, very thankful that she had touched our lives. Every person loved her, yes. Every person recognized the impact and value of her long, wonderful life, yes. And more than that (if there can possibly be more than that) every person reflected an honesty, a truth. It was so very like her. Stepping past the rush of life, we gathered together for those important moments, ones that (like Georgia herself) have left such deep impression.

Peace~

]]>http://rondamatson.com/news.html#40Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700Draw the line and step over it. - Ronda Matson - NewsFor My Georgiahttp://rondamatson.com/news.html#38
For once, I’m glad it’s raining. The day is a mirror of my sadness as I consider the world without Georgia in it.

“I met her on my lonesome day.” It’s so true.

A week after yet another brain surgery operation, in the Fall of 2006, I met Georgia Allen. I was missing half of my hair & had covered my baldness & stitches with Erin’s wide knit American flag headband. Somehow, I felt stronger with it on. I was determined that the guitar-picking nails of my right hand would not be lost like my hair, like so many dreams I once had, in a blink. I knew that I didn’t have the fine motor ability at that point to save them, so I braved potential embarrassment & went to the salon. I didn’t talk to anyone or look at anyone. It was a perfect misery. Suddenly, there was Georgia—and she was talking to me! Her energy and (eventually) her love of music came at me full force. Georgia, hailing from the great state of Alabama, showed me pictures of herself with the members of the band… ALABAMA! Amazing. I noticed her NASCAR coffee mug & commented on it. She turned to pictures of herself with famous race car drivers…

Georgia was a treasure. She turned my lonesome day & many days after that into something wonderful. My outlook that first day became hopeful again, almost in an instant. I was able to see “beyond the rainbow in my head.” Yes, I was once again starting all over, fighting my way back, but I knew I could do it.

I hope there is someone like Georgia in your world. For some people, as with my dear grandmother, Catherine, 82 years of a wonderful life seems not nearly long enough. But, this I know: “In a world that might not care, close your eyes. She’ll be right there.”

Peace~

]]>http://rondamatson.com/news.html#38Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0700Draw the line and step over it. - Ronda Matson - NewsForward Motionhttp://rondamatson.com/news.html#37
The Big Answers are rarely forthcoming and hardly ever clear-cut when it comes to, “What next?” There is no certain path and, for most things in life, no perfect solution. I have yet to get my hands on that crystal ball. But, thankfully, I have met David Ginsburg.

David is a Social Media Specialist. His earlier background in marketing and promotions, then as music director at Greater Media Boston and program director for 92.9 WBOS, has led him down the Social Media pathway. His very particular set of skills, not to mention his bright ideas, offer much to a fledgling performing songwriter. It’s exciting stuff!

What am I hoping for? Direction. Connection. Forward Motion.

Call me crazy. I’m aiming high.

Peace~

]]>http://rondamatson.com/news.html#37Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800Draw the line and step over it. - Ronda Matson - NewsRegarding Showcase Livehttp://rondamatson.com/news.html#34
As everyone knows, bad things happen.Sometimes, we can’t see them coming, can’t prepare for the battle.If we’re lucky, the storm passes & we’re able to lift up our heads & look around.On October 29th, I took a look around.From the beautiful stage at Showcase Live, I could see images through the bright light & (better than that) I could see past the days of my debilitating situation, beyond the sorrow of my lost progress & the uncertainty of my future.I had moved on.

Stepping up, out or over doesn’t happen on a whim.It happens because a person fights the good fight & does the hard work.And, in my case, it also happened because of faith, my brilliant doctor & thanks (hugely!) to the support of my family & friends.For all of that, I am so very grateful.Thank you!

My performance at Showcase Live was a mere 15 minutes.It was 3 songs.By the clock, it was barely a spot at the local Open Mic, but it meant more to me than I can express.I was blessed with the opportunity to perform on that fantastic stage, to be lifted up.It’s nothing short of a miracle that I was standing there with a voice, hands that could play & a mind that could remember what I’d written.

In April, I had 3 brain surgery operations within 10 days.Yes, bad things happen.When they do, I hope you won’t give up!

Peace~

]]>http://rondamatson.com/news.html#34Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800Draw the line and step over it. - Ronda Matson - NewsSpeaking of &quot;Truth&quot;...http://rondamatson.com/news.html#32
As I think back over these thirteen months—a very short time for the actual record-making, Fletcher says—I count myself so very fortunate. In this business of “who you know” I am a fledgling. I’m too trusting, perhaps, and essentially naÃ¯ve, but I have come to feel that trusting pays off. For every five people who let me down, there is that one most important person who doesn’t, which makes trusting all worthwhile. My newest music, like all the music on “Truth Be Told,” continues to reflect that. The title track of the new record is one of the saddest songs I’ve ever written, but the regret that fills the verses refuses to throw away the good things that memory holds dear. “Weight,” “Illusion” and “Blind” were all written in the month of February (nearly two years ago) and are necessary sibling songs. Symbolism trots right after me as I will set these songs free on February 15th”¦

“Truth Be Told” is a celebration of emotions. Each song has its story to tell. Each song is very personal. My solace, my shelter—and ultimately my voice—is in the songs, but when you listen, think about people. Think about yourself. We climb the hills each day and see the minus signs that line the path, trying their best to trip us up. For all its emotions, “Truth Be Told” doesn’t succumb to the “woe is me.” I consider it a triumph!

As I write these words on a grey January morning, I feel the warmth of my little space heater and imagine that it’s the sun. Celebrate “Truth” with me!

Peace~]]>http://rondamatson.com/news.html#32Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800Draw the line and step over it. - Ronda Matson - NewsGood Karma!http://rondamatson.com/news.html#31
First I lucked on the announcement. It was way, way down, near the bottom of the Ticketmaster e-mail message. It was far past where I usually read when the promo list is long. Was it good karma that I kept on reading? There it was, right in front of me. Mark Farner would be performing at the Spring House on Block Island. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I looked at the date. The show was ON Bob’s birthday, July 13th. It HAD to be good karma. My sensible side did think to ask a question or two. What was the Spring House? Where was Block Island? Of course, I had absolutely no idea, but I saw “Rhode Island” and immediately decided to buy the tickets. It couldn’t be that far.

My husband, Bob, was twelve years old when he bought the Grand Funk Railroad double live album with his own money. It cost him $4.98. He didn’t know the band or the music, but he got two records for $4.98. What a deal! Little did he (or his parents) know it, but that album would create a kind of rock and roll blueprint. I do not exaggerate when I say that it is the DNA of his musical world. Mark Farner, the songwriter, guitarist and lead singer for Grand Funk, became a hero. Over the years, Bob bought more albums. He memorized the words and studied the cover art. He still knows all the guitar riffs.

I knew I couldn’t keep this birthday present a secret because it involved some planning. In the end, we would need to drive an hour and a half to Point Judith, R.I., then ride the ferry to Block Island. The concert was scheduled to take place on the lawn of the lovely old Spring House Hotel, which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, 1:00 P.M., rain or shine. We would hope for shine.

The week before the show, Bob told me about an interesting video on Farner’s website. To be honest, I felt close to being hypnotized as I watched it. There was fabulous old footage, Grand Funk back in the day. There was also new concert footage and lots of guitar talk and amp talk. I wrote to my friend, Bruce Marshall, thinking he’d get a kick out of the video. The subject line of the e-mail read, “About Mark Farner.” Bruce’s response took me by surprise. He said that when he got my message, he just stared at it, wondering how I knew. Five minutes before that, he had been booked as the opening act for Mark Farner at the Spring House on Block Island. Good, good karma!

So many things owe themselves to the power of music. I try to remember that when the workings of the world make it seem small. As I had hoped he would, Bob met his hero that day. Mark posed for pictures. He signed an album, plus the original poster that came with the $4.98 double live album. What a deal! We were able to talk to him well before other fans arrived, as the stage was being set. He seemed to be in a very relaxed mode, in no hurry at all and he was extremely gracious.

If you click on “Images” and scroll through the “Good Karma” photos, you might get a sense of what I mean. Sometimes life manages to stack up the good stuff. Unusual and amazing things came together. They created the many perfect moments; it seemed, simply for the benefit of that single day. Major forces were at work. The weather was gorgeous and the music—from the immeasurable talent of Bruce Marshall to that of Mark Farner—was stellar.

Keep your eyes open for Good Karma in your world. It goes a long way ~